Passports are needed to gain entry into a country other than your own. You need to apply for a visa in order to live in another country. Both of these are official documents that you can apply for through government entities. Applications can be found online or at the government office in question. You can get applications for a passport quite easily at your local post office branch. Get a photo ID from the post office, too, or head to your local pharmacy for a quick photo. Learn about your passport and visa status by contacting the agency in charge. There are certain forms and requirements for each, which you must read over carefully or have an agent explain to you. Passports do expire, so be sure to keep up to date on renewals. Here are some popular terms to keep in mind when applying for or renewing status on passports and visas.

Consulate – The office of a government consul, which is an appointed official who lives in a foreign city to protect and promote its government’s citizens in that location.

Immigrate – To live permanently in a foreign country. To emigrate is to leave one country to live in another.

Residency or Work Permit – These may be required when applying for a visa, which allow a person to live or work in a particular country for a specified amount of time.

Passport Fee – The amount of money a person is charged to process a passport. In the United States, as of July 2011, this fee depends on whether you need a book, card, or both.

Passport Name Change – To process this, you need to complete a form, provide a certified copy of legal name change and a current photo.

Travel abroad is perhaps one of the most authentically rewarding experiences available. But it's impossible to travel without first applying for a passport or visa, and this application process can at times be frustrating.
But with a little effort, first-time tourists and seasoned business professionals alike can apply for new documentation, or renew existing documentation, with ease!
To complete the application process, you must first meet all the necessary requirements. You must, for instance, have up-to-date vaccines, and you must be able to procure a valid picture ID. You must also take an additional photo for your passport or visa.
Once you have your photo and are ready to apply for a passport or visa in earnest you can move on to the next step: filling out the proper forms. You can fill out the forms online, and check the status of your application yourself. Or you can work with an experienced service agent, for a small fee. You can also head over to your local consulate office if you have any questions.
The application process is lengthy, but it's not complicated. Even immigrates, or people in need of someone to translate for them, can complete the process. Lost or expired documentation isn't the end of the world either. Even if you need to officially change your name on your documentation you shouldn't encounter any difficulties.
So, if you're ready to renew your documentation, or apply for a new passport or visa, don't worry. You'll be able to fill out the proper forms and check on the status of your application without much hassle at all and in no time you could be enjoying the duty free shopping and exotic locales of a foreign country!